The Nine Lotus Academy treasury was silent except for the sound of breathing.

Tony slowly opened his eyes.

The life energy in the treasury room had thinned noticeably because of Heaven Devouring Origin Scripture. Hours of continuous cultivation had drawn it down like water from a well.

Peak Grand Master...!

Tony smiled in satisfaction. Because, now the World Tree blessing was no longer a distant possibility. He was genuinely eligible.

He just needs to wait until the world tree blessing appears.

He exhaled slowly and reached for his communication orb. He tapped at one corner and sent a communication request.

It connected after two rings.

"Malkin."

"Young master." Her voice was crisp despite the late hour— Malkin had never once in nineteen years allowed exhaustion to show in her professional tone. "I was expecting your call."

"What about the herbs...? Report."

"Every item on your list has been sourced and delivered to the healing tower patient room as you mentioned, master. Quality verified on each, quantity confirmed."

"But... Except one. The Morning Dew Root. Every contact I reached came back empty. It’s simply not in circulation right now, young master. I’m sorry."

Tony was quiet for a moment.

"Don’t apologize. You covered everything else in a single day." He leaned back slightly. "The attack on the Lee family— what’s the status?"

"Already in motion." Malkin said with a satisfied look. "Your great grandfather, Supreme Kent, agreed personally. Forces moved out before sunset in civilian configuration— dark route, staggered. No announcement, no banners." A beat. "The Lee family won’t see it coming."

Tony smiled.

"Good." He stood, stretching once. "Get some rest, Malkin. You’ve earned it."

"As you command, young master."

"Goodnight." He ended the call.

Just then Da Vinci opened the door with a big laugh.

"I told you I’d move quickly," Da Vinci said, and pressed the storage ring into Tony’s hand.

Tony channeled a thread of energy into it.

The contents floated between them— stack after stack of carefully preserved herbs, each bundled and labeled in Da Vinci’s personal storage method, cool-contained, spiritually sealed.

Tony’s eyes moved through them quickly.

Near the bottom of the arrangement, bundled separately from the rest, wrapped in preservation silk— Morning Dew Root.

One complete set. Tony looked at it for a moment without speaking.

"Where did you get it, old man. Even my family failed to collect this Morning Dew Root." Tony said in surprise.

"Hahaha... That one took three calls and a favor I’ve been holding for eleven years," Da Vinci said mildly. "I hope it’s worth it."

"It’s worth it. It’ll save her life." Tony picked it up carefully. He gathered everything into his own storage, gave Da Vinci a single nod of genuine thanks, and moved toward the door.

"Tony."

He paused.

Da Vinci looked at him with the expression of someone who has more to say and has decided against most of it.

"Remeber your promise."

Tony held his gaze for a moment. Then left without answering.

***

Outside, darkness filled everything. The academy had gone to sleep.

No moon night, no light from above, only the low amber glow of the stone lanterns spaced along the main routes. Everything beyond their reach was pure shadow.

Tony moved through it on the snow leopard.

The Healing Tower rose ahead, its upper windows faintly lit by the overnight duty staff. Tony guided the leopard along the side approach, dismounted at the eastern entrance, and moved through the door.

As he pressed the 13th floor button, the door of the lift/Elevator closed behind him.

But just at the last second, a shadow slipped inside the elevator. It was Lassi... She covered her face under a black silk mask.

Three seconds passed, and she directly used the seductive potion.

A small detonation, barely audible, like a glass vial meeting a hard surface and losing. The fog like vapor expanded instantly, filling the enclosed space in less than a breath, colorless and fast and carrying something in it that wasn’t just mist.

Tony held his breath by reflex.

Across from him in the fog... He heard counting of a lady voice.

Barely audible. Almost whispered.

"...One... two... three..."

He let the fog clear around him without moving. Held his body still. Let his internal energy cycle quietly through his system.

"...Eight... nine... ten."

The fog was gone.

Tony stood exactly where he’d been standing.

The figure across from him stopped counting.

He crossed the distance in one steps, reached out, and pulled the mask off her face in one clean motion.

He looked at her... She looked at him.

"Edward’s dog," Tony said.

Lassi’s jaw went wide open in complete shock. Because Tony was still standing with full consciousness!

"Those seductive potions, don’t work on me." He tilted his head slightly. "I’m a doctor, Lassi dog." He leaned forward slightly, just enough to be uncomfortable. "So tell me something."

His smirk appeared. "Why did you use a seductive potion? Do you want to do that thing with me?"

Lassie was in utter shock. Not only her expensive seductive potion failed... But Tony recognised her with one look.

"How did Tony Clark know about me?!! I’m just a servant!"

Lassie didn’t understand what to do now... ’there is only one way,’ she clenched her fists and attacked.

The poison dagger came from her left sleeve— fast, properly trained, aimed with genuine intent. Not a bluff. Not a warning strike.

Tony caught her wrist... One hand. Clean.

She tried to pull free. Couldn’t.

She tried the other hand. He had already anticipated it.

Forty seconds later, the elevator doors opened.

Tony dragged her to an empty room. By the time she realised what’s happening, Lassi was sitting against the wall of the observation room on the 13th floor with her wrists and ankles tied by Tony’s belt.

"I’ll deal with you later," Tony said through the narrowing gap. "Don’t damage anything."

The lock clicked. He was already moving towards the treatment room to meet White family sisters.

Lassie sat in silence in a helpless state. She began cursing the bastard who sold her the expensive seductive potion.

"Ahhhh~!"